Rite of passage

This morning I got an email that reads,

Dear Dr. Reynolds,

Given your expertise in this area, I would appreciate your comments on the above paper....

This is the first time someone I've never met has asked me to review a paper, and I have to say it feels pretty good to think that someone wants my opinion. It's like a rite of passagage almost. Look out world, here I come.

Corrupting the next generation

On the drive in this morning my almost 4 year old daughters and I were talking a bit about a movie we watched last night when the discussion turned to movies in general, and I asked them, "so what movie would you like to watch next?" Without even pausing a minute to think about it, A answered "Star Wars!" And K added, "yeah, Star Wars!" I'm afraid they already show an unhealthy appreciation for these films."

To do:

1. Isolate RNA from exposed flies
2. Finish reading paper about heat shock proteins
3. Finish writing methods for upcoming paper
4. Go to the RPAC - do day 2 of couch to 5K
5. Take daughters to the library
6. Stop and smell the roses

When Science and "Art" Collide

Anyone who is a child of the '80s has to watch this video. Yes I know its an advertisment for cell culture products, but trust me.

All grown up?

I'm 3X years old and married with two kids and a real job. I'm grown up and I should dress like it, right? Shouldn't I give up the torn blue jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes of my graduate student days? Or can I still wear these?

Craft-it Forward

In a moment of insanity, I jumped on the craft meme bandwagon. ScienceWoman is going to send me a crafty surprise in a couple of months, and all I have to do is craft-it forward. If you'd like to receive mystery hand craft, be one of the first five to leave a comment on this post.

Here are the complete rules:

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I will do my best. * It will be done in the next few months. * Exactly what I make and send will be a surprise.

In return, all you need to do is post this text to your own blog and make 5 things for 5 others. Remember, this is a "craft it forward" so action is required.

And if you're reading this on Facebook, I'm still on a FB "fast" for Lent and you'll have to visit my blog if you want to play along.

Counting Blessings

So the Master of the Universe heard my cry, and things are looking up for the R household. M is going to start a new job on Monday, K has recovered from her illness, and we even found the car keys. Even better, the rash on my arms and legs turned out to be stress induced hives rather than some awful contagious something or other. And the weather was actually fairly warm the weekend that our furnace went out. Isn't God good?

Sacrifice for Lent

So I decided to give up Facebook for Lent. This is kind of a first for me because I've never really given up anything for Lent before. I like the general idea of making a sacrifice for Lent, but I could never think of a a suitable sacrifice. For me, the purpose of the sacrifice is to free up part of myself in order to have more to spend on Things that Matter. Sacrificing Facebook for Lent seemed like a really good idea back in mid-February. After all, I spend way too much time sending virtual flowers and chocolates to people when I should be writing/revising manuscripts or spending time with my husband and children. For the most part, I've really enjoyed having the extra time to read, think, and play. But not spending time on Facebook is proving to have its downside too. In the last few months I've reconnected with a lot of people who I had lost contact with. Sadly, when I chose to give up FB, I also gave up communicating with a lot of people. In short, I am glad that I have recovered some time for more important things, but I will be glad when I can get back on and see what everyone is up to. If you are reading this on Facebook (I have it set up to pick up my blog posts) please visit my real, actual blog to leave comments. Otherwise I won't see them until mid-April.

An Open Letter

Dear Master of the Universe, I'd like a "do-over" please. So far 2009 has been very stressful and, in many ways, just bad. It is only the second (or third? I've lost track) week of February and already:

1. I've lost the only electronic key to or primary vehicle. After searching for it for a week I finally broke down and had the stupid car towed to the dealership so I could have the car reprogrammed and new keys made. It was not fun.
2. The heating coil in our oven melted - again. A white hot fire in the oven while trying to bake muffins - definitely not fun.
3. M has been laid off. We sort of new it was coming, but still it was still kind of all of a sudden. It is not fun.
4. K came down with the flu and had to spend 2 days at Children's Hospital with pneumonia. That was most definitely not fun.

In short, You promised you would not give me more to deal with than I can handle, so what gives? Can you please rewind the year so I can start it over. Alternatively, could you fast forward through the rest of the bad stuff that is going to happen this year to something slightly more fun? Thank you in advance, julie

To do:

1. Walk to libray in the snow (barefoot, uphill both ways) to copy 70 page review article from "reference" book.
2. Figure out why qPCR results are wonky.
3. Revise and resubmit albatross paper.
4. Conquer HPLC.
5. Nurture flies.
6. Clean the house.
7. Spend quanlity time with kids.
8. Invite potential new friends over for game night to ease feelings of isolation in Postdoc Town.